| Military Decisions of the Kingdom of Belgium | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 21 2010, 01:38 PM (482 Views) | |
| Belgium | Mar 21 2010, 01:38 PM Post #1 |
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Military Decisions of the Kingdom of Belgium |
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| Belgium | Mar 22 2010, 05:43 PM Post #2 |
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July 1841: The major reforms of the Belgium army will be going into effect as of the year 1842. This reforming has been issued by the parliament under the orders of the Military Advisor, monsieur Jomini. The reforms of the army consist of the following but are not limited to these: 1.& The Belgium army will reform itself towards a professional army. This where men from the age of 18 and up, will serve atleast 4 years within the Belgian military. The main army will consist out of enlisted forces that stay within the army for atleast a minimum of 12 years, each extra year will be noted. 2.& The method of training within the army will also be altered. Until this time training was by complete drilling the entire day. The Belgian generals decided that an adoption of the French system is in place. From 1842 the army will train in drill, but also be trained in physical condition. The land army will be trained more in physical training the the navy. This as land based battles require more intense training. 3.& Recruiting of new battalions will be done by a 4 weeks training period, in which the physical health of a person is tested. The most fit men will be allowed to enter the army. More details will be given on this at a further time. After this initial selection, the remaining men will form new battalions and be trained according to standard procedures. Officers and higher ranked personal will recieve the same course as that of the main army. However after selection they will first be educated for a period of 4 years in strategy, tactics, warfare and so on. Whilst also getting accustomed to working with the army. 4.& Training has now been consisting out of line formations and simple manouvres. This method shall still be done, however duo to events the army will also be trained in urban warfare and in woodlands. This to improve there combat effectiveness when guarding a city, or besieging one. The training will be done near military grounds where funds have been provided for the erection of a small city part. Here the army shall be trained in urban warfare to better protect Belgian city's and have an advantage over another army when dealing with these situations. The training in forests shall also be done, and will alter warfare in the sense that battalion leaders will lead there men into battle independatly. This radical way of thinking was approved by the Parliament, and effects shall be noted if this new way is effective. Study will be done after next year. 5.& Given the possibility of war, the Belgian army will create a centralised command hub. From which should war be set on Belgian soil, the military generals will get data from the nation to quickly react to certain events. A special department in the military shall man this post where data is gathered and send towards the Belgian army across the nation using modern technology. 6.& A new drescode will be issued for the entire army. This as during the "10 Days War", Belgian military men were easily spotted by the enemy from afar. The cause being the outdated uniforms. New uniforms have been created which consist out of a dark green pants, and dark green vests. The Belgian insignia is placed on the right shoulder. This decision was made to make it easier for soldiers to work in similar enviroments. All officers and infantry will be equiped with this new uniform gradually. Cavalry will retain there normal uniforms and plating as the pride of the army. 7.& The Belgian army has ordered 2000 new rifles from the French to be made for the first battalions. If they prove to be effective the army will buy more and equip the battalions with these new breach loading weaponry. The army will also increase its number from 30.000 infantry to 40.000 infantry. Along with an increase of engineers to be brought to 50 from 18. The function of the gendarmeris will be determed if productive. As well as the creation of a Belgian Elite Guard. This new branch in the military will have the most experienced soldiers. There training will be more intense then that of the normal military soldier and will also be granted the newest of weaponry. Edited by Belgium, Mar 22 2010, 07:37 PM.
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| Belgium | Mar 29 2010, 08:39 PM Post #3 |
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1842 January: As the army is being reformed, the generals have agreed to use this time to add extra reform for higher ranking officers. Therefor the goverment will seat for these matters next month to determine the proposings. Increased training of higher ranked officers and prolonged training in tactics. As well as the creation and planning of the location of a central hub for the military. This location is classified and may not be made public. The hub would be a network of underground bunkers where tactics can be created. At he same time plans for nation wide defense will be created if approval is given. This to be prepared in case the nation would be attacked. A considerable sum of money will also be spent for the renewing and improving of the bunker lines around Brussel, Antwerp, Liège, Luxemburg. |
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| Belgium | Apr 14 2010, 02:24 PM Post #4 |
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1843 March: 3th Permission has been granted by the Parliament and his majesty for the creation of the bunker complex for the high command. As well as the approval to build new bunkers and improve the old ones to the new standard. The location of the new bunkers will be decided during this month. Aproximatly 6.000.000 Fr will be made available for this project. To increase the number of fortified bunkers, as well as the creation of networks to connect these bunkers for rapid movement of troops and ammunition in strategic area's. The bunkers will be made to specific plans to ensure the safety of belgium and watch over trade routes. 19th After a first estimation, the military top of the army has decided to construct a line of defensive bunkers along the east side of the nation. As well as start construction of bunkers near the Leopold Canal (soon te be fnished). The city of Antwerp being a large ,naval port as well as an economic strong point will recieve another line of bunkers outside the inner and outer circle. These bunkers will be to delay the enemy and gather intell if needed. As well this line will go trough towards Brussels forming a defensive wall southwards to the capital. Construction would take around 10 years for all bunkers. A new model is in the making to ensure that the city bunkers be transformed into a better and stronger fortified section. ![]() Greend dots: For 1843 Red dots: 1843 Edited by Belgium, Apr 14 2010, 06:33 PM.
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| Belgium | Apr 17 2010, 05:10 PM Post #5 |
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1843 June: 2th In order to ensure that the defenses build across the entire Belgium borderline will be of the utmost perfection, the bunkers will be build to the following specifications. A new method of using steel within concrete, using portland cement, will ensure the foundation and upbuild of the bunkers. The outer walls will be made at the least 150 cm thick to be able to withstand the most modern weaponry's. Doors are constructed from reinforced steel. The bunkers are of considerable size to house a good portion of men and weaponry. Bunkers are connected via tunnels with one another to ensure the safety of isolated bunkers and create flanking attacks on the enemy positions. The outer layer will have brick walls to disguise the bunkers from sight and allow natural vegitation to grow around it. 17th The French have been asked to assist with the construction and overviewing of the bunkers. A payment of 5.000.000 Fr have been done for the assistance in manpower and overview by French engineers and others. The French will assist with there knowledge of combat and building construction to ensure the bunkers are build at a good speed whilst ensuring quality and proper locations. |
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| France | Apr 17 2010, 08:24 PM Post #6 |
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June 23, 1843 France agrees to help its neighbors to the North improve their defenses. France's and Belgium's repective securities are interlinked and the construction of these forts will keep both nations safe and bring both nations closer together. A contingent of 20 military advisors, fort engineers, and French artillerists are on their way to Belgium to assist the Belgian engineers and construction crews build the best possible forts in the timeliest manner. |
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| Belgium | Apr 19 2010, 08:42 PM Post #7 |
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1843 July: The Belgium army has agreed to alter the current type of bayonet for there rifles. The current version is the Sword Bayonet, which has been seen as flawed. The attachment of a bayonet on the weaponry takes valuable time and when attached makes firing harder and less accurate. As well as unbalance the weapon by the extra weight. The unneeded lengt of about 60 cm's has also been deemed too long, as in close quarters such weaponry attached to an already 100 cm long gun only makes it usefull for stabbing as a spear and therefor not effective vs real swords. The extra weight also is not usefull for troops marching. Therefor the generals and Military Advisor have decided to create a new type of bayonet which is much shorter to the current type, as well as having a small handle to be grabbed as a knive. This new model will be tested before going into mass production and should technically improve the flaws of the current used type. Short bayonet: Length: 15 cm weight: 250 g (realistic? o.O) Material: Iron Special: Contains a hilt to grab on to The shorter bayonet not only makes it lighter, but also hand to hand combat will be increased cause of the hilt being installed. Test need to show out oif the assembly time on a rifle is also reduced. Edited by Belgium, Apr 19 2010, 08:55 PM.
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| Belgium | Apr 26 2010, 07:18 PM Post #8 |
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1844 January: The Belgian Army has been experimenting with the use of hot air balloons to patrol the borderline of Belgium. However this has somewhat failed duo to the aspect of the balloons not able to operate independant of wind currents. At the current time a few air balloons are only used in fixed position to cover an area. But recently an article that came from England has stirred interest within the Belgium Army, the article spoke about a way to propel objects. The article spoke about using a propellor to lift objects up. With this in mind the goverment send a small group of people towards the ambassador in England to arrange a meeting with the writer of the article "Sir George Cayley". The military is hoping to acquire some extra information on monsieur George Cayley ideas. |
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| Belgium | Apr 28 2010, 07:21 PM Post #9 |
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1844 March: With the bunkers being created, the Military Advisor has been reviewing the plans along with some of the other higher ranking officers concerning the defense. Several French engineers had already given there opinion about the places and sites where the bunkers would be set. The conclusion was that some of the lines should be fortified as well as strenghtened over time. In response to this, the generals have decided to try and test a somewhat onorthodox weapon. The use of small portions of explosives within a shell which can explode via a fuse, electric or other methods. These "torpedoes" (landmines) have been used in Europe for a good while, but have proven not too effective. However the Belgium nation wishes to see if there potential can't be improved over time and wishes to test them none the less as these weaponry are cheap and easy to make. Therefor are no hinder to the economy and if battle should start an enemy taken down by something cheap is worthy of testing. |
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| Belgium | May 7 2010, 09:34 AM Post #10 |
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1844 November: 5th With the Belgium army being led by a few high ranked officers and generals, the Military Advisor has suggested that an increase in leading capacity should be discussed over the next few years. As now orders are going almost directly from the Military Advisor to the generals and then to the army. A great reponsibility for just one man. Cause of this the army may be willing to create new functions to support the already in function stated MA. If approval is given new functions will be created to work togheter within the army to coordinate strategy and other functions. 16th In other news, the army having been able to adjust more towards the new type of training method and some of the reforms will be given new weaponry once the FN factory is running. To ensure that the army can function across the entire nation, a nation wide plan has been made to ensure that a soldier within the nation can function the same in any battalion of the same kind. Therefor barracks will be made from the year 1845 to a strict plan and code (same infrastructure), as well as being fortified in the surroundings to allow a soldier to always know where certain key elements are. This will also be done with the now used weaponry, modern type weapons will be given towards the soldiers as older equipment will be put for sale. 22th To ensure that the reserves within the army will keep there training top knotch, the army has decreed the following. "Each member of the Belgian Army Reserves will be put into active training for atleast 40 days a year ontop of the now normal procedures. Normaly army pay will be given during these two months which has been adressed in the army budget several years ago for the expansion or improvement of the army. This method will allow the reserves to stay active in duty and perform better should war break out. Persons not capable of this duty will need either medical attest or clarify reason for absense. Reserves in civilian life will be informed when there duty lies in advance. Normal wage is paid during this." The method to keep the reserves in good fighting order resulted in atleast 40 days training with the army to stay in fit condition. As well as to allow the army to keep reserves partially active within the army under normal conditions. Should reserves ever be needed in the front line that there experience with weaponry is unparrallelled with that of other nations. Edited by Belgium, May 7 2010, 09:46 AM.
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| Belgium | May 22 2010, 08:44 AM Post #11 |
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1845 December: With the installation of the new posts within the military, and the recent reforms for reserves and professional recruits. The Belgian goverment wishes to expand the army to encompas for the growing population of the nation. At the current time, out of the 4.5 million Belgiums only 30.000 are within the professional army, whilst if mobilised this can grow to over 100.000 men. The goverment has done a study to show that the army should grow in professional standards to around 45.000 total. To ensure the safety of the nation and to suport future actions within stressing homeland security. Initital costs and training will be done soon and the spread of icnrease in military will be done over a period of 10 years. In other news with the creation of FN being completely finished beginning of 1846, the nation will supplying most of its weaponry of the FN except for special equipment. Edited by Belgium, Jun 23 2010, 03:59 PM.
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| Belgium | May 24 2010, 09:17 PM Post #12 |
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1846 January: Starting anno 1846, the Belgian Land Army will be expanded to encompas for the growth in population. In the course of 10 years, the army wishes to expand to atleast 60.000 professional units. At current time, the army consists out of the following: 34,000 infantry - 4 Elite Guard - 21 Regular - 8 Grenadier 7,800 cavalry - 4 heavy - 3 light 7,300 artillerymen - 4 (12x) pounders - 3 (24x) pounders 18 engineers 250 Gendarmeris 70,000 reserves The amount to achieve over the course of 10 years is the following: 60,000 infantry - 8 Elite Guard - 40 Regular - 12 Grenadier 7,800 cavalry - 3 light - 4 heavy 10,000 artillerymen - 5 (12x) pounders - 5 (24x) pounders 30 engineers 500 Gendarmeris 140,000 reserves Originally, 100.000 was proposed, sadly this number can not be attained under the current economic situation. And therefor a lower number has been given. The data banks of the Belgium army will also be expanded and modernised as to bring less confusion. An entire reforming of the administrative sector of the army should allow for faster communication and less costs in upkeep. The high command of the Belgian army will be discussing the matter later this month and voting on it in Februari. At the current time, the army will be expanding the army this year with the following battalions: 10 Regular Battalions Total cost for training and equipment: 2.500.000 Fr Training will commence this month. And be finished at normal time. The battalions will be fitted into duty in 1847. |
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| Belgium | May 25 2010, 08:22 PM Post #13 |
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1846 February: The high officers within the nation came togheter in Februari to discuss certain reforms within the military. To ensure a better communication and administration. The new military act has been created and will be done starting next month. Reforms will be implemented as soon as possible. Military Reforms Act: 1.& The officers came to the conclusion that in order to ensure safety and an overal better military, that a reforms act was needed. This act would ensure that future training methods would be strict as well as provide versatile trainings to prepare soldiers for the versatile style of war. 2.& As well as that the miltiary be funded partially to have there own transportation and thus not be dependant on other companies in the nation. Ensuring that within several hours a battalion can support any location within reach of a railroad. 3.& Administrative, certain jobs will be eliminated to provide a more direct stream of information from the basic army towards the Military Advisor and group. 4.& The usage of real munition on target practice will be tested with several battalions, should the testing be succesfull then the method will be transfered towards the entire army. 5.& Altering from stations. In order to make soldiers accustom of not always fighting within there respective sector during a war, battalions will be moved to another sector in the nation for a period of 2 months each year. The administrative sector will be funded extra to ensure that the battalions are not placed twice in the same spot. This should provide experience with the soon to be provided transportation system as well as provide experience in foreign enviroments for the soldier. ( A soldier from antwerp being stationed in Namen, Liège or being stationed in Ghent. So that a soldier will be prepared to fight in terrains they are not completely familiar with. It also expands the training area, as the flat lands of the Flemish provinces are much different to that of the hilly, to mountain like terrain in the Wallonian area.) The current training method will still apply towards drilling the military. However, once the new reforms have taken place, training will be altered slightly to encompass more differences then the normal day routine. This could consist out of one week complete drilling excercices (and training on reloading weaponry and so forth) whilst the next week, the weight could be put on marching and drill excercices. The variety should not only prevent a stale routine, but also prepare a soldier for possible turn of events in there normal routine. To in a way simulate the battle which can turn within a second. |
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| Belgium | May 31 2010, 08:19 PM Post #14 |
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1846 July: 10 Regular Battalions have now gone into active service and will be stationed accordingly. The reforms will be carried out as well. And several study's will be done towards the effectiveness of the army. Study's will be completed around September. In other news, in order to assist the navy in protecting the belgian coast line, the army has agreed to station several land batteries around the coast. With the French already assisting with bunkers, special naval bunkers will be drawn to protect the coast line from enemy invasion. The construction of a naval base and construction site for naval vessels are in talks with the parliament. Edited by Belgium, May 31 2010, 08:26 PM.
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| Belgium | Jun 27 2010, 03:02 PM Post #15 |
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1848 May: With the plans of the mitrailleuse at the military HQ, the engineers have begun constructing a prototype for testing. The machine should be finished within a few months so that testing can begin. Several of the military officers still find the weapon to be rather awkward but are also itnerested in the results it can provide. Should the results be within the expectation then mass production will commence after an overview and improvement of the gun. The designs have already inspired several new types of weaponry that are being drawn. As the reduction of guns on the battlefield means that fewer men are needed to create an army and therefor these men can serve there purpose elsewhere. Testing will be done in a closed location under military surveillance to prevent leaks. |
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| Belgium | Jul 7 2010, 09:21 PM Post #16 |
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1849 March: Several prototypes have been created and were tested at the start of 1849. Testing went with a few glitches and one of the weapons even malfunctioned severely. However overall tests show that the new weapon has capacity and even the option of being usefull on the battlefield. Especially in certain situations to provide rapid and strong suppresive fire against enemy targets. Further testing and advancement of the weapon is needed. |
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8:55 AM Jul 11